The 2014 MTV Video Music Awards was the year’s most exciting night in music television, but while you were tuned in watching Beyoncé win her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and Taylor Swift shake it off, there were plenty moments backstage that you didn’t see.

First off, it was all love between Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea, despite all the rumors of a female rap beef. “You did great,” Iggy told Nicki as she passed her just as MTV News began to conduct our interview with the “Anaconda” spitter.

“Thank you baby,” Ms. Minaj responded with a warm and welcoming smile.

We were posted backstage for a large part of the day and watched Jay Z as he arrived with Blue Ivy in his arms. Daddy and daughter made a bee-line straight to Beyoncé as she got ready for her performance.

Ariana Grande‘s dressing room was right down the hall from Bey’s and a great spot to just be a fly on the way, because right after Ms. Grande won for Best Pop Video we spotted her and Big Sean walking down the hall holding hands. New couple alert?

Speaking of new couples, what’s up with Katy Perry and Riff Raff, we don’t actually believe that the “This is How Do” collaborators are dating, but they were hanging backstage even when the television cameras weren’t there to capture them.

you guys remember that one year where she was literally a featured artist on like every song before she really hit it big with superbass? it feels so inspiring to watch her take herself from feat to literally a household name.